CCP Dance Performance — A scene from “Tuloy Ang Pasko”

After almost two years of not performing live, Filipino dance artists return to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Theater stage with “A Christmas Celebration” on Dec. 12, 7 p.m., with matinee at 2 p.m.

The artists of the CCP present a brand-new restaging of Divertissement from “Sleeping Beauty” and “Tuloy Ang Pasko: The 2020 Filipino Holiday Dance Celebration.” The performance will be one of the very first live performances after pandemic restrictions shut down theater productions.

In cooperation with Ballet Philippines Alumni Association, the production will be the finale production for the Professional Dance Support Program, a special program initiated by the CCP to support professional dance in the Philippines. It aims to arrest the probable deterioration of skills, techniques and performance excellence of Filipino dancers, while providing them with continued artistic employment and discouraging their shift to other occupations due to the absence of or reduced opportunities in dance.

‘Sleeping Beauty’

Veronica Atienza of Philippine Ballet Theatre as the Lilac Fairy

The holiday dance presentation brings to life selected dances from the classical ballet “Sleeping Beauty,” and restaged choreography by Victor Ursabia and Eugene Obille.

Dancers Katrene San Miguel and Victor Maguad take the lead roles of Princess Aurora and Prince Désiré. Veronica Atienza dances the Lilac Fairy, while Rissa Camaclang, Lester Reguindin, Stephanie Santiago and Erl Sorilla dance as the Jewel Fairies.

Nicole Barroso and John Ababon dance Black Cat and Puss in Boots, while Sarah Alejandro and Kevin Cascaño give life to Red Riding Hood and the Wolf.

Blue Bird Grand Pas De Deux puts the spotlight on Regine Magbitang and AL Abraham.

The Garland Waltz bring together Monica Gana, Earl John Arisola, Jessa Tangalin, Bonifacio Guerrero Jr., Camaclang, Renzen Arboleda, Joanne Tangalin, Justine Orande, Karla Santos, Ace Polias, Gianna Hervas, Alexis Piel, Christianne Uy, and Danilo Dayo Jr.

‘Tuloy Ang Pasko’

Meanwhile, “Tuloy Ang Pasko” is the all-original Filipino dance production that was created, filmed and premiered online in 2020. This production celebrates Paskong Pinoy complete with Christmas lights, caroling, simbang gabi, puto bumbong and bibingka.

Artists of the CCP Dance Workshop Monica Gana, Earl John Arisola, John Ababon, Erl Sorilla and Jessa Tangalin—PHOTOS BY LESTER REGUINDIN

Set against the backdrop of 1970s Manila and featuring well-loved Christmas carols, it tells the story of five old friends who reminisce, over Zoom, on the Christmases of their youth. This production is a celebration of Filipino song and dance presented for the first time live onstage.

The production features music composed by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist Levi Celerio, Felipe de Leon, Juan Silos Jr., Serapio Ramos, Andrei Dionisio and Jose Javier Reyes. It features choreographic creations by Sorilla, Ababon, Reguindin, Guerrero, Abraham and Ronelson Yadao.

Nonoy Froilan, Liliane “Tats” Manahan, Imelda Tatad-Pagdanganan, Gener Caringal and Mario “Butch” Esperanza portray the five old friends, while dance artists Arisola, Gana, Jessa Tangalin, Ababon and Sorilla portray the friends in their youth.

Completing the cast are Alejandro, San Miguel, Atienza, Magbitang, Santiago, Barroso, Camaclang, Santos, Joanne Tangalin, Hervas, Maguad, Reguindin, Abraham, Dayo, Guerrero, Polias, Orande, Piel, Arboleda and Cascaño.

Tickets are available at Ticket World and the CCP Box Office. To ensure that everyone will have a safe theater experience, read the CCP’s “new normal” health protocols at bit.ly/CCPNewNormalProtocol.